"Everybody here has accepted that they are part of something more important than just themselves. To me, it's a place where I have a great connection and going back there, like I said through the PSL final, to bring cricket back to Pakistan, if we can be part of history, a greater purpose, it's a wonderful opportunity" - Darren Sammy, the two-time World T20 winning skipper.

Narper2017-09-12 09:08:04

World XI players are doing a lap of honour on a tuk-tukish kinda vehicle. There's Tahir, Amla, Miller, Bailey, Elliott and Cutting that I can spot. Oh and two other tuk-tuks follow.
Also, Sammy is in smiles. Who's surprised.

Narper2017-09-12 09:11:18

After two years, International cricket will return to Pakistan with World XI arriving to play a 3-match T20I series

Narper2017-09-12 09:29:36

"It is lovely to be back here and catch up with the family. But more importantly, we are here for a greater cause," says an elated Imran Tahir. "I was born and brought up here, so it's probably easier for me than other guys."

natty_forever2017-09-12 09:48:28

Go Pakistan!

Narper2017-09-12 10:00:48

Fakhar Zaman and Ahmed Shehzad are at the crease.

Fakhar Zaman is on strike.

Morne Morkel will open the attack

Narper2017-09-12 10:01:21

0.4
Morne Morkel to Fakhar Zaman, out Caught by Amla!!

Fakhar Zaman c Amla b Morne Morkel 8(4) [4s-2]

PAK 8/1 (0.4 Ovs) CRR: 12

Narper2017-09-12 10:21:44

PAK 41/1 (5.0 Ovs) CRR: 8.2

sgtdjones2017-09-12 10:24:26

In reply to Narper

Sammy is not bowling, he tied up his wrist again?

Narper2017-09-12 10:51:09

PAK 107/1 (12.1 Ovs) CRR: 8.79

Narper2017-09-12 10:52:34

In reply to sgtdjones

Sammy is there to smile only

Okay I am joking

Sammy will bat only

Narper2017-09-12 10:53:35

In reply to sgtdjones

Babar Azam *68 (42

This skunt was shitting on his tail when he played for Amazon Warriors

sgtdjones2017-09-12 10:56:15

In reply to Narper

Narper2017-09-12 11:03:47

14.1
Cutting to Ahmed Shehzad, out Caught by Sammy!! He's such a dear thing. Sammy runs in at deep backward square and takes it with a dive in front. A swivel pick-up from Ahmed Shehzad, that admittedly was timed well off his pads, but just managed to place it too well.

Ahmed Shehzad c Sammy b Cutting 39(34) [4s-3]

Narper2017-09-12 11:04:52

In reply to sgtdjones

Man tek a good catch....crowd favourite

Narper2017-09-12 11:12:20

15.5
Tahir to Babar Azam, out Caught by Miller!! So two things: Babar Azam falls short of the century and Tahir gets a wicket.

Babar Azam c Miller b Tahir 86(52) [4s-10 6s-2]

Narper2017-09-12 11:12:33

PAK 142/3 (15.5 Ovs) CRR: 8.97

Narper2017-09-12 11:31:51

19.2
Thisara Perera to Shoaib Malik, out Bowled!! Just when you thought this over would take Pakistan to 200, Thisara Perera strikes.

Do these games count as official T20 records or are they just exhibition games?

Narper2017-09-12 12:11:34

5.2
Raees to Tamim, out Bowled!!

Tamim b Raees 18(1 [4s-3]

WXI 43/1 (5.2 Ovs)

Narper2017-09-12 12:12:19

In reply to Priapus

T20 I

ICC approved

Narper2017-09-12 12:15:25

5.6
Raees to Amla, out Caught by Imad Wasim!! Eaten up by the lack of pace on that ball. Amla is early in his loft that's intended to clear the off-side infield, and chips it straight to extra cover. Falls last ball of the powerplay too!

The PCB will end up spending anywhere between US$ 2.5-3 million for the staging of the three-match T20I series against World XI, as it bids to build on unprecedented international goodwill and bring more cricket back to Pakistan.

16.4
Sohail Khan to Sammy, 1 run, a biff to mid-off and they set off for a quick single

Narper2017-09-12 13:09:48

World XI need 47 runs in 12 balls

Darren Sammy *4 (5

Narper2017-09-12 13:14:17

18.5
Raees to Sammy, SIX, stand and deliver! Knew what was coming, stands back and wallops a slower ball high and handsome over long-on

18.3
Raees to Sammy, SIX, on the pads and goodbye. That's golfswung over mid-wicket

Narper2017-09-12 13:15:14

19.1
Hasan Ali to Sammy, SIX, short ball, sat up nicely for Sammy to flex his muscles and bludgeon it over backward square

Narper2017-09-12 13:17:42

19.2
Hasan Ali to Sammy, no run, yorker, would have uncorked the base of middle stump had Sammy missed. But he did well to jam his bat down and while doing so, lost his balance and fell flat on the floor. Hasan Ali strolls across and offers a helping hand to pick Sammy up off his feet